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As a novice speech-language pathologist, I used to think there was really nothing I could do to spark speech in a non-verbal child.  I was wrong.  Research shows that alternative augmentative communication, such as sign language, promotes VOCAL language.   In addition, a procedure known as stimulus-stimulus pairing may also prompt talking. Stimulus-Stimulus Pairing Stimulus-stimulus … more »

I’ve recently written about the importance of teaching children requests as “first words” rather than animals, letters, numbers, or colors.  I’ve also been discussing the importance of avoiding general requests and social niceties.  For example, don’t teach the word “more” and refrain from prompting children to say “please” too early.  The list of “don’ts” continues … more »

In my last blog post, I discussed the reasons why it’s best to avoid teaching the word “more” as a first word.  Now, I’d like to make a case against the word “please.”  I’ve seen some practitioners teach “please” as a first word, and when this occurs, the pitfalls are largely the same as teaching … more »

When a parent tells me that their child has limited language, but has learned one word/sign, in my head, I say it in unison with the parent, “more.”  This is typically the “go to” first word or sign that speech-language pathologists and developmental therapists teach.  In fact, it’s the first word I taught before I … more »

The holy grail of language therapy goals is conversational language.  Parents understandably want to be able to ask their children about their day at school and for their children to tell them in return about the book read in library class or the game played during P.E.  I share in this goal with parents, and … more »